No more weaving in ends knotting solution

As all plarners know, we have to some how connect plastic yarn strips together.   The typical method is just to tie the ends together and worth the tails in behind your work.  Or, weave in the ends later.

A couple of months ago I came across a video on how to make the adjustable knot for closure.  It's a new bracelet design I was working on and I just didn't want to make it with a snap or button.  I thought this was the perfect solution to my design dilemma.

As I continued to watch the video, it struck me that this would/could also work in knotting the plarn ends together.  At first I pulled too hard and the plastic yarn broke.  But after using this method so many times since, it truly is a time saver.

 
Give it a try and let me know what you think.  Do you find it to be a time-saver or time-consuming?  

Thanks for letting me share with you. 

FYI - I am working on a photo tutorial which will be added to this post. 

Free Crochet Pattern: Tarn Pop Tab Hot Pad - Part 2

Welcome back!!  Now for the actual pattern to make this adorable hot pad design.  

This design was originally created with regular yarn.  However, after making one with tarn and testing them both, the tarn hot pad held up to the heat much better.  

As I shared in Part 1, the beauty of this design is you can go to a size based on your 'pan' needs. 

Looking at the design layout above - 
Blocks 1, 2 and 3 measure 6 1/2" by 5 3/4ths 
Blocks 1, 2, 3 and 4 measure 6 1/2" by 8 1/2"
Blocks 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 measure 8 1/2" by 9 1/2"
All 6 blocks measure 11 3/4ths by 9 1/2"

Most of the pop tab hot pads I make are up to blocks 4 and 5.  However, I needed a 9x13 hot pad, so I decided to go 6 blocks which was perfect.  Making it with 6 blocks let me use 3 colors twice.

Materials needed - 

• Pop tabs - please refer to Part 1
• Tarn - small amounts but enough to make each block composed of 5 rows (3 single crochet and 2 double crochet rows).  You'll need 1 color for each block as well as a divider color.
• Size F crochet hook

Pattern Notes:

• Attaching pop tabs is always done with wrong side facing you.  So double crochet row will always be made on right side.
• Pop tabs are always worked with bottom hole on right.  This makes layering easier as 2nd pop tab will always be placed behind the 1st or previous pop tab.

Row 1:  With wrong side of pop tab facing you, and bottom of pop tab hole on the right -join 1st color with slip stitch and make 2 single crochet stitches.

 

Add a 2nd pop tab as shown in the picture - left hole of 2nd pop tab goes behind 1st hole of previous pop tab, make 2 single crochet stitches through both pop tabs. Continue 2 more times for a total of 4 pop tabs.

Chain one then turn.

Row 2:  Double crochet in each stitch across.  (12 stitches) Chain 1 then turn.

Row 3:  With wrong side facing you, place right side of pop tab - bottom hole of pop on the right - make a single crochet stitch through first stitch and hole of pop tab - left pic is how you should be holding it now and right pic is back view.

Using double crochet stitches from Row 2, stitch 1 and 2 will be 1st 2 stitches in 1st pop tab hole, then layer next pop tab in same fashion as Row 1 (below is a front and back view)

 

Crochet 2 single crochet stitches in next 2 stitches. 2nd pop tab layered on 1st will be stitches 4 and 5 from Row 2. Repeat across (middle pic).  When done, turn work with right side facing you and open pop tabs (right pic).  Chain 1 and turn.

Row 4:  2 Double crochet stitches in each hole across.

 Row 5:  Repeat Row 3 for layering pop tabs.  When row is complete, turn work with right side facing you and open pop tabs.  Fast off.  Feel free to weave in your end now or crochet the end in behind a stitch.  Either way works.

 

Choose which side and with divider tarn - attach with slip stitch in pop tab hole.  Make 2 single crochet stitches in each stitch made evenly across for a total of 12 stitches.  Fasten off.  

 

For Block 2,  repeat Rows 3, 4 and 5.  

 

 

Use the graph below for building each block until you decide on size desired - 

For the border - there are 2 different ways of finishing the border: the Crochet way or Guilt Way.

The Crochet Way making a single crochet in each stitch around.

The Quilt Way is making a single crochet in each stitch across along 2 parallel sides (see below pic), then finish off by making single crochet stitches on the opposite 2 sides.  Fasten off, weave in ends and you're done!!

In case you're wondering - I mentioned the 'Quilt Way' because I make memory quilts.  The memory quilts are made out of the dearly departed clothes.  

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this pattern by emailing me at plastiquerecreations@yahoo.com or twooleydesigns@gmail.com

Thank you again for your visit and I look forward to seeing you with my next crochet pattern.

Free Crochet Pattern: Tarn Pop Tab Hot Pad - Part 1

 

I have created many designs with pop tabs and learn something each time.  If experience has taught me anything, taking time to remove the clip is well worth it.  It is time consuming.   I usually do this while watching tv.  Next thing you know, there's a pile sitting in front of me.

Here's why - First and foremost, it offers a much neater appearance.  And secondly - it reduces some weight from the finished item.

Here is a before and after picture.  And as you can see, once the clip is removed, it does look much nicer.  If you're still not convinced, here's a third reason - there's more room in the hole to crochet 2 single crochet stitches.

 

Removing the clip is quite easy.  Using a pair of needle nose pliers, with the back side facing you - start at the left corner-> then begin pulling the clip from the pop tab until you reach the opposite corner.  If it does not remove cleanly, just take a cheap nail file (not emery board) and smooth out the edges.  That takes care of it.

So how many pop tabs are needed to make this hot pad according to the lay out above - here is a breakdown:

Block 1 - 12 pop tabs
Block 2 - 15 pop tabs
Block 3 - 30 pop tabs
Block 4 - 33 pop tabs
Block 5 - 48 pop tabs
Block 6 - 48 pop tabs
For a total of 186 pop tabs 

As for the tarn (t-shirt) yarn needed, unless I'm making a bulky design, I always cut my tarn at 1/2" width.   

The awesome thing about this design I created, it's a great way to use up scrap yarn.  And, build each block to the size you need.  I needed a hot pad for a 9x13 pan.  Otherwise, I typically would stop at 5 blocks.

Please come back for Part 2 - The Hot Pad Pattern ....

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me at twooleydesigns@gmail.com or plastiquerecreations@yahoo.com.

It feels good to be back blogging and shairng free patterns again.  My life got - 'busy' there for a while where I unfortunately had to give up some of the pleasures I enjoy in life.  I continued to crochet, just wasn't able to blog about any new designs.